August 19, 2010

New York City Enacts Law Requiring 2% Biodiesel In Heating Oil



On August 16, 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law a bill requiring heating oil to contain 2% biodiesel beginning in October 2012.

Mayor Bloomberg made the following statement at the signing event.


"The final bill before me today is Introductory Number 194-A, sponsored by Council Members Gennaro, Brewer, Fidler, James, Koppell, Lander, Sanders, Van Bramer, Mark-Viverito, Lappin, Levin, Nelson, Garodnick, Crowley, Mendez, Vacca, Koslowitz, Recchia, Chin, Williams, Ferreras, Jackson and Barron. Introductory Number 194-A will significantly reduce pollution, promote the use of alternative fuels, create new 'green' jobs and vastly improve air quality throughout the City.

"Promoting the use of cleaner burning heating fuels is one of fourteen air quality initiatives from PlaNYC 2030 and I am pleased to say that the legislation before me today will do just that. Introductory Number 194-A requires that by 2012, the sulfur content of Number 4 heating oils be limited to no more than 1,500 parts per million and all heating oils used in New York City contain at least two percent biodiesel.

"Intro 194-A will complement the new State law, signed last month by Governor Paterson, that reduces the sulfur content in Number 2 heating oil by 99 percent. Together with forthcoming regulations from the Department of Environmental Protection, these initiatives will literally save lives.

"I would like to thank Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Thomas Farley, and Acting Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability Director Adam Freed and their staffs, especially Carter Strickland and Kizzy Charles-Guzman, as well as my office of City Legislative Affairs for their work on this bill. I would also like to thank the environmental and public health advocates for their support and the City Council for approving this legislation."

Source : Mayor Bloomberg's Office

No comments:

Post a Comment